The Highest Violent Crime Rate by U.S. State

What We're Showing

The rate of violent crime per 100,000 individuals by U.S. state in 2022. Violent crimes are composed of four offenses: homicide (murder and nonnegligent manslaughter), rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Figures come from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and are updated as of October 2023.

Nation's Capital Leads in Violent Crime

DC recorded the highest violent crime rate in 2022, at 812 incidents per 100,000 residents. The district also saw the highest homicide rate in the country, at 29 homicides per 100,000.

This trend is continue to rise in DC, with a 39% increase in violent crime reported in 2023. Armed carjackings, particularly involving youth, have become a significant issue in recent years, with cases doubling from 2022 to 2023.

Some experts attribute the rise in violent crime to DC's lack of statehood and its complex network of overlapping law enforcement agencies, such as the Metropolitan Police Department, FBI, US Park Police, and Capitol Police, which makes coordination and communication challenging.